Body found near KY-TN state line Wednesday identified

On Wednesday afternoon, the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department announced via their Facebook page that a body had been found in a creek near the Kentucky-Tennessee state line. The victim has now been identified.

The original post, made just before 1 p.m. Wednesday, stated, “On 3/1/23, Whitley Dispatch received a call from Jellico Police Department reporting a potential body found in Elk Creek behind the save a lot on US 25 W S. Deputies arrived and with assistance from Jellico PD and Williamsburg PD located a victim in the body of water. An investigation is being conducted by Whitley County Sheriff’s Office. Information will be released as it becomes available and the investigation allows.”

Later Wednesday, just before 4 p.m., the Whitley Sherif’s Department updated the post to include, “The victim is identified as Anna M Whitehead age 37 of Williamsburg. The victim is currently at The State Examiners Office in regards to an Autopsy. ”

Before the identity of the victim was released Wednesday, Whitley County Coroner Andy Croley confirmed that a 37-year-old female had been pronounced dead at the scene at 3:47 a.m., and that the body has been sent to Frankfort for autopsy.

On Thursday, Whitley County Sheriff Bill Elliotte said that the preliminary autopsy revealed signs of edema in the lungs of the victim, which he said is consistent with drowning. He said that the toxicology report had not been completed as of Thursday afternoon, and at that point in time nothing had been found to suggest foul play.

The News Journal will provide additional details as soon as they can be obtained.